Stags seal the deal for striker

12 June 2015

A League Two promotion-winner is the latest face in new-look squad.

Experienced striker Craig Westcarr has turned down several others clubs to buy into manager Adam Murray’s vision for Mansfield Town by putting pen-to-paper on a deal to become our ninth summer signing.

The 30-year-old brings a wealth of experience to One Call Stadium and will join just a handful of players to appear for all three professional clubs in our region, having already featured for both Nottingham clubs during his career.

Westcarr has a track record of being proven at this level – netting 11 goals in 50 appearances for Notts County in 2009/10. Most recently he was with Sky Bet League Two rivals Portsmouth, for whom he made 33 appearances last term.

Our boss was pleased to tie up a deal for the striker, believing he will be a major hit next season.

“We've had to work very cleverly with this one, because obviously there's been a lot of interest in Craig," said Murray. “He's got a proven goalscoring record in League One and in this league and probably didn't have the season that he wished last year due to opportunities."

He added: "He's somebody that we're 'over the moon' to have in the building. He's technically excellent, quick, strong, very intelligent and he knows where the back of the net is."

Born in Nottingham, the striker began his career on the books of Nottingham Forest, where he featured on 26 occasions in all competitions for them.

He left the City Ground a decade ago and spent a season on the books of Cambridge United, then enjoyed a three-year spell at Kettering Town, during which he helped The Poppies to the Conference North title, before the club established themselves in the top flight of non-league football.

His displays brought admirers from a higher level and he moved to Notts County in June 2009.

A title winner during a Meadow Lane career which saw him rack up over 100 appearances, his next stop was Chesterfield – and he enjoyed yet more success at the Proact Stadium by scoring in stoppage-time in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final win over Swindon Town at Wembley.

Following a year-and-a-half with the Spireites, he moved to Walsall in January 2013, before arriving at Portsmouth last summer after bagging 22 goals in 72 appearances for Dean Smith’s men.